Planning continues for Fly-In Musicfest

The Flying Musicians Association’s first major event, the Fort Worth Spinks Fly-In Musicfest, is slated to take off Nov. 7.

Flying musicians from around the country will showcase live music on two stages. National names, as well as local talent (from pros to talented schoolkids), will provide nonstop entertainment, according to association officials. The Fort Worth Songwriters Association will run two tents where impromptu jams will take place throughout the day, so bring your instrument or your voice! And plan on watching — or even participating in — a Native American Flute and Drum Circle.

There will be excitement in the skies, as well: Aircraft flying, aircraft to look at, photograph, and sometimes climb into, and aircraft rides will be available. The John L. Terry Heritage Foundation will have its World War II-era B-25 Mitchell bomber “Pacific Prowler,” and the C47 Dakota (known to civilians as a DC-3) “Southern Cross,” on the ramp for tours and flights all weekend.

The local Experimental Aviation Association Chapters will be giving free rides to kids (ages 8 through 17) on a first-come basis as part of the Young Eagles program, which has already introduced well over a million kids to flight. There will be vendors, food, aviation seminars, and music for the whole family.

A special guest, Ravi the Aviator (who is also a flying musician) will give his presentation “Making General Aviation Sexy,” which he presented at Sun ‘n Fun and AirVenture (and which he will be presenting in Florida at the AOPA Summit in November). Florida author Denis Murphy, who wrote “PAN, PAN, PAN: A Survival Story,” will be signing copies of this book. If you’re already hooked on aviation, Judy Tarver with FltOps will tell how to land an airline job.

The Flying Musicians Association was founded this year by two pilots/musicians, John Zapp and Aileen Hummel, who have made it their quest to encourage, promote, educate and support these two passions.